So with that, that's it for our live coverage of the First T20I. It's been a great day for Indian sports fans. Hingi-Sania & Leander-Hingis won their matches at Australian Open, Indian women's upset Aussies at the Adelaide Oval with a record run-chase and MS Dhoni's men got off to a winning start too.

Join us on Friday for the 2nd T20I which will take place in Melbourne. Till then, adios!

So in summary, India posted a big total after being asked to bat, like they did most of the ODIs, but this time the score was well above par. Thanks to Kohli's blistering 90, Raina's measured 40+ and Dhoni's 3-ball cameo. The bowlers started off badly, but Jadeja and Ashwin choked the Aussies in the middle overs to remove Smith, Finch and from then on India did not let up. Pandya picked up two wickets, despite bowling like a bag of nerves. Jadeja, Ashwin picked up two each. Nehra got one at the end. But the hero, young Jasprit Bumrah yet again. With some impeccable death bowling, he looks like the real deal. Finished with 3 for 23.

So what a performance from the youngster Bumrah, it's a 37-run win for India. With three balls to spare. It was a comfortable win at the end. Virat Kohli's brilliant innings, and then a great spell from Bumrah, Jadeja and Ashwin

As you can see, the post-match analysis is up and running on this page.

17:36(IST)

OUT! Nehra gets the wicket he wanted on his comeback too! Clean bowled, Kane Richardson with a near-yorker. The match is mathematically out of Australia's grips.

Australia need 38 balls from the last over

17:32(IST)

OUT! Faulkner hits a huge six off Bumrah's first ball but comes back with a yorker to clean up Faulkner. Finishes the over with 4 singles, all great full length balls.

After 18 overs, Australia 147/8(Richardson 7, Boyce 2)

17:28(IST)

OUT! Perhaps surprsingly Pandya gets another over, and he responds with another wicket off the first ball. Wade hits one that goes miles up in the sky, but Jadeja takes a neat catch at deep midwicket. Pandya has come back well. Seven from it but only because of an overthrow from Ashwin

After 17 overs, Australia 136/7(Richardson 5, Faulkner 4)

17:24(IST)

Ashwin finishes spell with a 5-run over, for figures of 4-0-28-2. Good comeback after going for 11 in his first.

After 16 overs, Australia 129/6(Wade 5, Faulkner 2)

17:20(IST)

OUT! Hardik Pandya was having a nightmare debut but salvages something out of it after a wicket off the last ball of his 2nd over - he is truly delighted. A brutal hit by Lynn to covers, where Yuvraj takes a sharp catch. That went like a bullet. 12 runs off the over though, thanks to a massive six by Lynn earlier

After 15 overs, Australia 124/6(Wade 2)

17:12(IST)

OUT! Ashwin gets the big wicket in this situation as Watson falls trying to play the big shot - top-edges the sweep which is gobbled up by Nehra at fine leg. Just 4 runs and a wicket in that over. India right on top.

After 14 overs, Australia 112/5(Lynn 8, Wade 1)

17:09(IST)

The piechucker is back! Yuvraj gets to bowl after all. What seemed a good over (some turn and bounce to beat Watson), the right hander hits one over square leg for a six. 10 from it, but less than the req'd rate. Jadeja finishes is superb spell, just five singles frm that over. 4 overs, 2 for 21

After 13 overs, Australia 108/4(Lynn 6, Watson 11)

17:06(IST)

After 6 overs, Australia 56/1 (Finch 28, Smith 9)

India finally get a breakthough; the big wicket of David Warner. Bumrah has looked the pick of the lot among Indian bowlers. But another danger man walks in —Steve Smith. And he his quick off his boots, sending Bumrah to the ropes twice in the over.

17:04(IST)

OUT! Another strike and this Jadeja traps Travis Head in front off the last ball of his over. Great comeback by India. Just two runs and a wicket that over. The famous Dhoni choke in action.

After 11 overs, Australia 93/4(Lynn 2, Watson 0)

17:02(IST)

OUT! India right back in this one. Ashwin comes back and strikes straight away. After a huge shout of the first ball for LBW, Finch plays the same shot again - misses it and is trapped in front. Question is whether it pitched outside leg (Ashwin bowling around the wicket), DRS says it is but looked good in real time.

After 10 overs, Australia 91/3(Lynn 1, Head 1)

16:58(IST)

OUT! Jadeja strikes to remove the danger man Smith. He lobs to Kohli at short cover off the last ball of the over. Seven came off it, but the crucial breakthrough after a flying start.

Not a start to remember for Hardik Pandya. A whopping 19 runs from that over! Starts with three wides down the leg side to Smith. Then Finch absolutely bludgeons one over cover for a six and Smith pulls one of the last ball for four. Couple more wides too.

After 8 overs, Australia 82/1(Finch 38, Smith 20)

16:45(IST)

Jadeja into the attack. Typically quick over from the leftie, rushes through it in a blink of an eye. Good one too, seven from it and all in 1s and 2s. Australia will be happy with the start they have.

After 7 overs, Australia 63/1 (Finch 31, Smith 13)

16:42(IST)

After 6 overs, Australia 56/1 (Finch 28, Smith 9)

India finally get a breakthough; the big wicket of David Warner. Bumrah has looked the pick of the lot among Indian bowlers. But another danger man walks in —Steve Smith. And he his quick off his boots, sending Bumrah to the ropes twice in the over.

Bumrah gets the deswerved breakthrough, Warner pulls him to find Kohli at mid-on.

16:37(IST)

After 5 overs, Australia47/0 (Finch 28, Warner 17)

Warner shuffles sideways and slashes Nehra over point for the first four of the over; Finch then slogs the veteran over mid off for another one. Runs flowing for the Aussies and Bumrah the only silver lining in the clouded Indian bowling attack

16:32(IST)

Jasprit Bumrah into the attack for the first time. And what a start by the youngster - just three runs off it. Starts off with a slight in-dipper that hurries on to Finch and a huge appeal for LBW ensues. Umpire says no, but that looked very close. Is beaten off the next ball too.

After 4 overs, Australia 37/0 (Finch 23, Warner 12)

16:28(IST)

No respect from Warner for Nehra. First a shortish ball, is hooked around off his hips for a four and then followed by a huge six over midwicket from a fuller ball. 12 runs from that over.

After 3 overs, Australia 34/0 (Finch 21, Warner 11)

16:24(IST)

Ashwin with a horror start. He tries to keep it slow and flighted, but Finch shows intent right from the first ball. Not a great shot to begin with, as he lofts one in no-man's land. But gives room of the next ball and punches it over cover, then inside out off the last ball, for a huge six. One chance in that over, but Jadeja can't reach a lofted shot from long-on.

There's a MS Dhoni cameo! First ball - almost a helicopter swish, not quite - over midwicket for a huge six. Next ball, flat bats it to cover point for a one-bounce boundary. That's the push India needed. Kohli takes a couple off the last ball, 14 runs from that over as India finish on 188 for 3. Kohli unbeaten on 80, what a knock.

India 188/3 at the end of 20 overs (Kohli 90, Dhoni 11)

15:48(IST)

OUT! Raina's innings ends in the last over. Tries to play a cheeky sweep, goes too far across and the ball hits the offstump on the full. 41 from 34 balls, good innings.

15:46(IST)

Last over, and it's Faulkner...

15:46(IST)

Richardson with the penultimate over and its an excellent one for India, 14 from it. Both Raina and Kohli target the area behind square on the leg side (raina's offside) First ball, steered past point for four by Raina. Kohli then lofts two over short fine leg first for four and then a couple. How much will India end with?

After 19 overs India 174/2 (Kohli 87, Raina 41)

15:41(IST)

Raina finally gets a move on. Anticipates a slower ball from Faulkner, stays in the crease and plays his huge heave over midwicket - a shot CSK fans will be familiar with that - for a six. 6 more runs from that over as Faulkner comes back well.

After 18 overs India 160/2 (Kohli 78, Raina 36)

15:37(IST)

Richardson back and it's a decent over - well, no boundaries for starters. Eight off it. You get a feeling Raina needs to get a move. The 100 partnership came up in that over - Raina's contribution 26 so far

After 17 overs India 148/2 (Kohli 76, Raina 26)

15:35(IST)

Tait, surprisingly, comes back for his fourth and its more of the same. Again not getting line right at all 0- two wides to Raina, both down the leg. The over started with a stunning flick of wrists from Kohli as he deposits Tait over square leg for a si, using the pace again.

After 16 overs India 140/2 (Kohli 69, Raina 25)

15:30(IST)

Kohli's going great guns...time for runs to flow from the other end too. 180+ is a must. Hitting from one end won't take India there.

Kohli has taken it upon himself to push India to a big score. Watson finishes his spell with an expensive over, goes for 11. Two lovely boundaries again in that over. First a well-stuck cover drive along the ground, then a flicke to midwicket. Raina is just a sideshow so far.

After 15 overs India 128/2 (Kohli 61, Raina 24)

15:24(IST)

Do stay tuned after the blog, as the post-match analysis will be streamed live right here

India's countdown to World T20 has begun. I'll be in https://t.co/h7RTJUBI9U's post-match live stream to field your questions. Send them in

Great hitting by Virat Kohli, who continues to look in fine form. First, a lofted front foot drive on the up over covers and then off the back foot past point - two fours to start the over. Drives to long-on for a couple to bring up his fifty in 32 balls. 11 runs from that over.

After 14 overs India 117/2 (Kohli 51, Raina 23)

15:19(IST)

Shane Watson is back in the attack and it's most expensive of the day, with eight runs off it. Would have been a brilliant over, if not for a beautiful improvised shot from Kohli - comes down the track, sees it a short-ish ball and late cuts to third man for four.

After 13 overs India 106/2 (Kohli 40, Raina 23)

15:13(IST)

Kohli continues to look in great touch. Puts pressure on Boyce off the second ball, dancing down and driving over the head of long-off. Four singles from the over too as India look to push on.

After 12 overs India 98/2 (Kohli 34, Raina 22)

15:09(IST)

Great over from the leggie Boyce. Just four singles from it. Couple of strong sweeps and drives but all straight to fielders. Travis Head from the other end as Australia go for spin in tandem. Kohli places a beautiful back-foot push through the covers to pierce the two fielders. A yes-no moment of the last ball as Raina just about makes it back for a two. Nine from that over.

After 11 overs India 88/2 (Kohli 26, Raina 20)

15:05(IST)

Rabada finished with brilliant figures as South Africa record a consolation win. Well done, young man!

13/144 in the match for South Africa's Kagiso Rabada. He is not just 'raw pace'. He is mature and patient, rare for someone of his age.

Faulkner replaces Watson. Raina plays one of his favourite shots - down the track and lofted over cover, but it clears the fielder just about. A very interesting moment next up, as Raina pulls out late (really late!) with Faulkner in his delivery stride. It hits the stumps, and Faulkner is a bit miffed. Commentators seem to think, he pulled really late.

After 9 overs India 75-2 (Kohli 17, Raina 16)

15:04(IST)

Faulkner replaces Watson. Raina plays one of his favourite shots - down the track and lofted over cover, but it clears the fielder just about. A very interesting moment next up, as Raina pulls out late (really late!) with Faulkner in his delivery stride. It hits the stumps, and Faulkner is a bit miffed. Commentators seem to think, he pulled really late.

After 9 overs India 75-2 (Kohli 17, Raina 16)

14:58(IST)

Debutant leg-spinner Cameron Boyce with his first over and its a good one for India. Five singles and a boundary. Virat Kohli danced down the track to place it perfectly inside-out over cover for a four.

After 8 overs India 67-2 (Kohli 15, Raina 10)

14:55(IST)

Watson is having quite the match so far. Just four runs in that over. Raina gives him the charge but mistimes a pull over midwicket for a couple. Kohli gets beaten a couple of times.

After 7 overs India 58-2 (Kohli 9, Raina 7)

14:51(IST)

Tait continues and its another expensive over. Two wides in that over and two boundaries. First Kohli square drives beautifully through a packed offside field, wide of third man for his first four. Raina then almost falls to the best laid plans. A short ball on the hips with the leg slip in place, but he manages to chip just over Finch.

OUT! Shikhar Dhawan falls too. What a start for Shane Watson - two in his first over. A slower ball bouncer is edged to Wade behind the stumps, as he was cramped for room. Watson is delighted, India jolted. Just one run from that over.

After 5 overs India 42-2 (Kohli 1, Raina 0)

14:42(IST)

OUT! Rohit Sharma falls to Shane Watson, first ball. Miscues a straight drive and it falls straight to mid-on. Big blow for India after a bright start.

14:39(IST)

Faulkner comes into the attack and Rohit Sharma survives. Skies a lofted shot to the 3rd man region but Boyce, debutant, running back cannot judge it and puts down an easy chance. Rohit nonchalantly flicks the next ball to midwicket for four.

After 4 overs, India 40/0 (Rohit 31, Dhawan 5)

14:35(IST)

Despite a long lay-off Shaun Tait does not seem to have lost....
-his pace
-ability to bowl wides
#AUSvIND

Tait is not having the best of times with the comeback. Rohit is pouncing on the bad balls. First, a wide ball is crashed to cover point and a then another short ball is pulled to fine leg in the air, just short of a diving Kane Richardson. a couple of wides too as he is still looking to get his radar right.

After 3 overs, India 31/0 (Rohit 23, Dhawan 4)

14:28(IST)

Kane Richardson from the other end. And it's another good over for India. Rohit lofts one over mid-off but doesn't connect well, it stops before the boundary for three runs. Dhawan then pulls one through midwicket for another three.

After 2 overs, India 18/0 (Rohit 14, Dhawan 4)

14:23(IST)

What a start to the match. Tait's first over back in international cricket is a mixed bag as Rohit takes 10 runs from it. Four balls outside off let alone, but the first one on the pads is flicked with ease and then a mistimed pull flies over Richardson at fine-leg (who got a hand to it) for a six. That's what pace foes to you.

After 1 over, India 10/0 (Rohit 10, Dhawan 0)

14:18(IST)

Players are out in the middle. Dhawan, Rohit for India. Shaun Tait (yes, him!) with the ball. Play!

14:13(IST)

That's a long break!

Ashish Nehra is playing his first int'l match since March 2011
Ditto for Shaun Tait!
Nehra missed 200 matches in between, Tait 195
#AUSvIND

The Indian women's cricket team produced a superb all-round performance to chase down a record total and upstage world champions Australia by five wickets in the opening Twenty20 International of a three-match series in Adelaide

12:57(IST)

So, this holiday has got off to a good start for India as the women's team have won the first T20I, thunmping the World Champions Australia at Adelaide Oval with a record run chase.

India are not only the least experienced in the T20 format, it is also the format in which they have had the least success. Not exactly a combination for success.

12:47(IST)

For starters, here's Tariq Engineer's preview of what is crucial series for MS Dhoni in particular.

12:47(IST)

Hello everyone! The T20 season is upon us. Welcome to Firstpost's live coverage of the first T20I between India and Australia. The venue is Adelaide. The setting: India's Republic Day and Australia's, well, Australia Day. There should be no shortage of patriotic fervour!

Adelaide: India will seek to reverse their One-Day International blues and hit upon some form ahead of the World Cup Twenty20 when they face Australia in the first T20 International of a three-match series here at the Adelaide Oval ground on Tuesday.

India go into the series after suffering a 1-4 defeat in the One-Day series. They are to host the World T20 from March 8 to April 3.

India will take on New Zealand in the opening match of their campaign on March 15 at Nagpur.

They were dominated in the first four matches, but avoided a whitewash after chasing down a mammoth target of 331 runs in Sydney in the final match.

MS Dhoni in action against Australia. Getty

The team looked short on experience in the ODI series, losing from positions of strength on several occasions.

But they will be boosted with the inclusion of experienced trio, left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh, off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and pacer Ashish Nehra.

They are expected to be named in the final XI on Tuesday.

Besides them, left-handed batsman Suresh Raina, who was dropped from the ODI squad will be waiting to prove himself once again after a successful domestic season.

India's bowling attack was hammered in all the five ODI matches and the team will hope Nehra uses all his vast experience to good effect in the T20 series.

Young Japrit Bumrah, who made an impressive debut at Sydney, claiming two crucial wickets, is likely to feature in the bowling line-up alongside Nehra and Rishi Dhawan. Dhawan replaced seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the series as he got ruled out due to a fractured left thumb.

The batting line-up will be bolstered with the coming in of Yuvraj and Raina. They will add more firepower to the in-form trio Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli who were among runs in the ODIs.

Australia is sweating on the fitness of their hard-hitting batsman Glenn Maxwell who is struggling with an injury.

But they have enough batsmen in form to cover for his absence with David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh all among runs.

All-rounder Shane Watson was included in the T20 squad after being dropped from the One-Dayers and he will be raring to give his all both with the ball and the bat.

Pacer Shaun Tait has been recalled by Australia after an absence of almost five years and the 32-year-old will aim to use the conditions to good effect and mark a memorable comeback in international cricket.

India who are currently ranked eighth have managed five wins out of nine matches against Australia in T20Is.

India can claim the top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I rankings if they make a clean sweep of the three-match series, which could serve as an added motivation for the M.S. Dhoni-led side.